Female Perception of Cohabitation and Marriage in Metropolitan Arequipa

Background: During the last decades in Peru there have been greater demographic changes, like the remarkable increase in the number of cohabitating couples and the decrease of married ones. Therefore, this study aims to describe the perception of cohabitation and marriage between women in the city of Arequipa, Peru. Methods: 764 women between 18 and 66 years of age were randomly selected according to their socioeconomic level and they were surveyed with a questionnaire about cohabitation and marriage perception. The results indicated that the majority of evaluated women considered marriage important (82.5) because it is the most appropriate way to start living as a couple (35.2%) and it is a legally recognized institution (31.3%), among other reasons. Furthermore, the majority of women do not consider cohabitation as more convenient than getting married (65.8%) and mostly reported that cohabitation is a type of relationship in which members mutually support each other (97.5%), that is exclusive between two people (97%) and in which expenses and duties are shared (95.9%). Conclusion: For a great percentage of cohabiters and single women from the sample, marriage is important. The majority of women do not consider cohabitation more convenient than getting married. The women that considered cohabitation more convenient, pointed two main reasons: knowing if the couple is getting along and knowing the couple well. Less than the 10% of these women believe that cohabitation is a step prior to marriage. Regarding the perception of marriage compared to cohabitation, for the vast majority of women, the perception of cohabitation is similar to the characteristics of marriage.

Antecedentes: Durante las últimas décadas en el Perú se han producido grandes cambios demográficos, como el notable aumento del número de parejas que cohabitan y la disminución de las parejas casadas. Por lo tanto, este estudio tiene como objetivo describir la percepción sobre la convivencia y el matrimonio entre las mujeres de la ciudad de Arequipa, Perú. Metodología: Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 764 mujeres entre 18 y 66 años de acuerdo a su nivel socioeconómico y se les encuestó con un cuestionario sobre percepción de convivencia y matrimonio. Los resultados indicaron que la mayoría de las mujeres evaluadas consideraron importante el matrimonio (82,5) por ser la forma más adecuada de empezar a vivir en pareja (35,2%), por ser una institución legalmente reconocida (31,3%), entre otras razones. Además, la mayoría de las mujeres no considera la convivencia como más conveniente que casarse (65,8%) y mayoritariamente reportaron que la convivencia es un tipo de relación en la que los miembros se apoyan mutuamente (97,5%), que es exclusiva entre dos personas (97 %) y en los que se comparten gastos y deberes (95,9%). Conclusión: Para un gran porcentaje de las mujeres convivientes y solteras de la muestra, el matrimonio es importante. La mayoría de las mujeres no consideran más conveniente la convivencia que casarse. Las mujeres que consideraron más conveniente la convivencia, señalaron dos razones principales: saber si la pareja se lleva bien y conocer bien a la pareja. Menos del 10% de estas mujeres cree que la convivencia es un paso previo al matrimonio. En cuanto a la percepción del matrimonio frente a la convivencia, para la gran mayoría de las mujeres, la percepción de la convivencia es similar a las características del matrimonio.

Female Perception of Cohabitation and Marriage in Metropolitan Arequipa / Percepción femenina de la convivencia y el matrimonio en Arequipa Metropolitana

Background: During the last decades in Peru there have been greater demographic changes, like the remarkable increase in the number of cohabitating couples and the decrease of married ones. Therefore, this study aims to describe the perception of cohabitation and marriage between women in the city of Arequipa, Peru. Methods: 764 women between 18 and 66 years of age were randomly selected according to their socioeconomic level and they were surveyed with a questionnaire about cohabitation and marriage perception. The results indicated that the majority of evaluated women considered marriage important (82.5) because it is the most appropriate way to start living as a couple (35.2%) and it is a legally recognized institution (31.3%), among other reasons. Furthermore, the majority of women do not consider cohabitation as more convenient than getting married (65.8%) and mostly reported that cohabitation is a type of relationship in which members mutually support each other (97.5%), that is exclusive between two people (97%) and in which expenses and duties are shared (95.9%). Conclusion: For a great percentage of cohabiters and single women from the sample, marriage is important. The majority of women do not consider cohabitation more convenient than getting married. The women that considered cohabitation more convenient, pointed two main reasons: knowing if the couple is getting along and knowing the couple well. Less than the 10% of these women believe that cohabitation is a step prior to marriage. Regarding the perception of marriage compared to cohabitation, for the vast majority of women, the perception of cohabitation is similar to the characteristics of marriage.

Antecedentes: Durante las últimas décadas en el Perú se han producido grandes cambios demográficos, como el notable aumento del número de parejas que cohabitan y la disminución de las parejas casadas. Por lo tanto, este estudio tiene como objetivo describir la percepción sobre la convivencia y el matrimonio entre las mujeres de la ciudad de Arequipa, Perú. Metodología: Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 764 mujeres entre 18 y 66 años de acuerdo a su nivel socioeconómico y se les encuestó con un cuestionario sobre percepción de convivencia y matrimonio. Los resultados indicaron que la mayoría de las mujeres evaluadas consideraron importante el matrimonio (82,5) por ser la forma más adecuada de empezar a vivir en pareja (35,2%), por ser una institución legalmente reconocida (31,3%), entre otras razones. Además, la mayoría de las mujeres no considera la convivencia como más conveniente que casarse (65,8%) y mayoritariamente reportaron que la convivencia es un tipo de relación en la que los miembros se apoyan mutuamente (97,5%), que es exclusiva entre dos personas (97 %) y en los que se comparten gastos y deberes (95,9%). Conclusión: Para un gran porcentaje de las mujeres convivientes y solteras de la muestra, el matrimonio es importante. La mayoría de las mujeres no consideran más conveniente la convivencia que casarse. Las mujeres que consideraron más conveniente la convivencia, señalaron dos razones principales: saber si la pareja se lleva bien y conocer bien a la pareja. Menos del 10% de estas mujeres cree que la convivencia es un paso previo al matrimonio. En cuanto a la percepción del matrimonio frente a la convivencia, para la gran mayoría de las mujeres, la percepción de la convivencia es similar a las características del matrimonio.

Physicochemical, nutritional and microbial quality of pastes and data on their consumption in Mexican university students

ABSTRACT A paste is a food of English origin adopted in Hidalgo, Mexico, over a hundred years ago. It is consumed as a convenience food and is very popular among students. The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical, nutritional, and microbial quality of pastes as well as to obtain data on their consumption in a population of Mexican university students. The proximal composition, calories, sodium content, pH, water activity, and microbiological quality of 15 types of pastes were analyzed. Five hundred students from the largest public university in the State of Hidalgo in Mexico were surveyed to determine paste consumption. Pastes varied in their content of fat (12-25.7 g/100 g), protein (2.29-12.6 g/100 g) and carbohydrates (23.5-52.7 g/100 g). The caloric content varied from 356 to 545 kcal/paste. The salty samples contained more sodium (216-693 mg Na/100 g) compared to the sweet ones (54.9-74.1 mg Na/100 g). Samples presented large variability in microbial quality and only one sample had coliform growth. Almost all respondents (96.2%) reported consuming pastes, 49.7% consumed 1 to 2 pieces per week, while 32% consumed 3 to 4. Participants considered that pastes were fast, convenient, and cheap and mentioned consuming them for their taste and practicality. Pastes represent an important source of calories and sodium in the diet. Labeling these types of foods will provide nutritional information and could prevent excessive consumption.

RESUMEN El paste es un alimento de origen inglés adoptado en Hidalgo, México, desde hace más de cien años. Se consume como comida de conveniencia y es muy popular entre estudiantes. El objetivo fue determinar la calidad fisicoquímica, nutricional y microbiana de pastes, así como conocer datos sobre su consumo en una población de estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. Se analizó la composición proximal, las calorías, el contenido de sodio, el pH, la actividad acuosa y la calidad microbiológica de 15 tipos de pastes mediante técnicas oficiales. Se encuestaron 500 estudiantes de la universidad pública más grande del estado de Hidalgo (México) para determinar su consumo de pastes. Los pastes variaron en su contenido de grasas (12-25,7 g/100 g), proteínas (2,29-12,6 g/100 g) y carbohidratos (23,5-52,7 g/100 g). El contenido calórico fue de 356 a 545 kcal/paste. Las muestras saladas contenían más sodio (216-693 mg Na/100 g) en comparación con las dulces (54,9-74,1 mg Na/100 g). Las muestras presentaron alta variabilidad en la calidad microbiológica y solo una muestra presentó crecimiento de coliformes. El 96,2% de los encuestados consume pastes, el 49,7% consume de 1 a 2 piezas por semana mientras que el 32% consume de 3 a 4. Los participantes consideraron que los pastes son rápidos, convenientes y baratos y mencionaron consumirlos por su sabor y practicidad. Los pastes representan una fuente importante de calorías y sodio en la dieta. Etiquetar este tipo de alimentos aportará información nutricional y podría evitar su consumo excesivo.

Bioestatística e epidemiologia: perguntas que você sempre quis fazer, mas nunca teve coragem / Biostatistics and epidemiology: questions you always wanted to ask but never had the courage to

Dando continuidade aos artigos da série "Perguntas que você sempre quis fazer, mas nunca teve coragem", que tem como objetivo responder e sugerir referências para o melhor entendimento das principais dúvidas estatísticas levantadas por pesquisadores da área da saúde, este terceiro artigo aborda o contexto epidemiológico. Neste contexto, foram diferenciadas as principais medidas como prevalência, incidência, Odds Ratio (OR), Risco Relativo (RR), Razão de Prevalência (RP) e Hazard Ratio (HR), foi esclarecido o uso de análises por intenção de tratar e análise por protocolo, e também discutidos alguns dos termos comumente utilizados e pouco compreendidos como tipo de amostra, nível de evidência, relevância clínica e estatística, entre outros. (AU)

Continuing the series of articles "Questions you always wanted to ask but never had the courage to," which aims to answer key statistical questions raised by health researchers and suggest references for a better understanding, this third article addresses the epidemiological context. In this context, important measures such as prevalence, incidence, odds ratio (OR), relative risk (RR), prevalence ratio (PR) and hazard ratio (HR) were differentiated; the use of intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis was clarified; and some terms commonly used and poorly understood were discussed, such as type of sample, level of evidence, clinical and statistical relevance, among others. (AU)

Status social subjetivo na escola e nas aulas de educação física / Subjective social status in school and in physical education classes / Nivel social subjetivo en el colegio y en las clases de educación física

Resumo Objetivo Identificar os fatores associados à percepção do status social subjetivo na escola e nas aulas de educação física em escolares de uma escola de Florianópolis (SC). Método A amostra foi composta por 312 estudantes (53,2% meninas), de 10 a 16 anos, do ensino fundamental de uma escola da rede pública municipal de Florianópolis (SC). Foram investigadas questões de qualidade de vida, atividade física, comportamento sedentário, índice de massa corporal (IMC), características sociodemográficas e status social subjetivo na escola e nas aulas de educação física. Resultados A percepção do status social na escola foi superior nas meninas (p = 0,003), enquanto a percepção do status social nas aulas de educação física foi superior nos meninos (p = 0,015). A percepção de status social nas aulas de educação física apresentou correlações negativas com o IMC (r = −0,202; p = 0,001) e tempo sentado durante a semana (r = −0,127; p = 0,026) e correlação positiva com a atividade física (r = 0,372; p < 0,001). Maior escolaridade dos pais indicou maior status social subjetivo dos adolescentes na escola (p ≤ 0,001). Além disso, maior percepção de status social, tanto na escola como nas aulas educação física, apresentou correlações positivas com melhor percepção da qualidade de vida geral (r = 0,264; p < 0,001 e r = 0,222; p < 0,001 respectivamente). Conclusão O presente estudo indicou relações importantes do status social subjetivo na educação física com a qualidade de vida, IMC, tempo sentado e atividade física dos adolescentes.

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was identify factors associated with the subjective social status perception at school and in physical education classes in a school of Florianopolis - SC. Method The sample consisted of 312 students, of both sexes, aged 10 to 16 years, regularly enrolled in elementary school 5th to 8th year of a municipal public school of Florianopolis - SC. Were investigated quality of life issues, physical activity, sedentary behavior, body mass index (BMI), sociodemographic characteristics and subjective social status at school and in physical education classes. Results The perception of social status at school was higher in girls (p = 0.003), while the perception of social status in physical education classes was higher in boys (p = 0.015). The perception of social status in physical education classes showed negative correlations with BMI (r = −0.202; p = 0.001) and time sitting during the week (r = −0.127; p = 0.026) and positively correlated with physical activity (r = 0.372; p <0.001). Furthermore, higher educational level of parents indicated higher subjective social status of adolescents at school (p≤0,001). Moreover, higher perceived social status, both in school and in physical education classes showed positive correlations with better perception of general quality of life (r = 0.264, p <0.001 and r = 0.222, p <0.001, respectively). Conclusion School with lower perceived social status in physical education have higher BMI and lower levels of physical activity and quality of life.

Resumen Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los factores asociados con la percepción del nivel social subjetivo en el colegio y en las clases de educación física en estudiantes de una escuela de Florianópolis, SC. Método La muestra estuvo formada por 312 estudiantes (el 53,2% eran niñas), entre 10 y 16 años de educación primaria en una escuela de la red pública municipal de Florianópolis, SC. Se analizó la calidad de vida, la actividad física, el comportamiento sedentario, el índice de masa corporal (IMC), las características sociodemográficas y el nivel social subjetivo en el colegio y en las clases de educación física. Resultados La percepción del nivel social en el colegio fue mayor en las mujeres (p= 0,003) mientras que la percepción del nivel social en las clases de educación física fue mayor en los varones (p= 0,015). La percepción del nivel social en clases de educación física mostró una correlación negativa con el índice de masa corporal (r = −0,202; p= 0,001) y el tiempo sentado durante la semana (r = −0,127; p= 0,026) y se correlacionó positivamente con la actividad física (r = 0,372; p<0,001). La educación superior de los padres indicaba mayor nivel social subjetivo de los adolescentes en la escuela (p≤0,001). Además, mayor percepción del nivel social, en el colegio y en las clases de educación física mostraron correlaciones positivas con una mejor percepción de la calidad de vida en general (r = 0,264; p<0,001 y r = 0,222; p<0,001, respectivamente). Conclusión Este estudio mostró relaciones importantes del nivel social subjetivo en la educación física con la calidad de vida, el índice de masa corporal, el tiempo sentado y la actividad física de los adolescentes.

Assessing groundwater stoichiometric composition and its suitability in Northwestern Bangladesh / Avaliação de lençol de água quanto a composição estioquiométrica e a sua conveniência do Noroeste do Bangladesh

Groundwater quality analyses included pH, EC, cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe3+ and As3+), anions (CO32-, HCO3-, NO3-, SO42-, PO43- and Cl-) and TDS of northwestern Bangladesh. The samples contained Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ as the dominant cations and HCO3- and Cl- were the dominant anions. Ratios of major cations and anions of water samples suggest the predominance of Ca and Mg-containing minerals over Na-containing minerals. According to TDS and SAR values, all samples were classed as 'freshwater' and 'excellent' categories. The SSP of all waters was under 'excellent' and 'good' classes. All samples were within 'soft' class regarding hardness with 'suitable' RSC. Based on As3+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, SO42-, NO3- and Cl- all groundwater samples were within the 'safe' limit for drinking but unsuitable for some industries for specific ions.

As análises de qualidade de Lençol de Água incluíram pH, EC, e os cations,(Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe3+ e As3+), aníons ( CO32-, HCO3-, NO3-, SO42-, PO43- e Cl-e TDS do noroeste do Bangladesh. As amostras continham Ca2+, Mg2+ e Na+ e como o cations dominante HCO3- e Cl foram os aníons dominantes. Segundo o TDS e valores de SAR, todas as amostras foram classificadas como categorias 'de água doce' e 'excelentes'. O SSP de todas as águas foi nas classes 'excelentes' e 'boas'. Todas as amostras foram dentro da classe 'suave' quanto à dureza com RSC 'conveniente'. Baseado As3+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, SO42-, NO3- e Cl- - todas as amostras de lençol de água foram dentro do limite 'seguro' como água de bebida mas impróprias para algumas indústrias que emprega íons específicos.

Qualidade microbiológica de vegetais minimamente processados / Microbiological quality of processed vegetables

O processamento mínimo de vegetais visa fornecer ao consumidor frutas e hortaliças prontas para o preparo e/ou consumo. As etapas envolvidas neste processamento devem ser realizadas de forma adequada para evitar o desenvolvimento de micro-organismos indesejáveis. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as condições higiênico-sanitárias de vegetais minimamente processados comercializados na cidade de São José do Rio Preto, SP. Das amostras analisadas, todas apresentaram contagens elevadas para coliformes totais e 20% demonstraram valores superiores ao estabelecido pela legislação para coliformes fecais. A presença de Escherichia coli foi observada em 90% das amostras. Tais resultados indicam a necessidade de adequações de Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF) durante o processamento garantindo a segurança dos consumidores.